This commercial shop migrated into grand-format digital printing five years ago and augmented that offering recently with the purchase earlier this year of an eight-color (and triple white), 3.2 meter-wide EFI VUTEk HS100 Pro UV printer with roll-to-roll capabilities. It complements an existing eight-color (and double white) VUTEk GS3200 printer that can handle rigid or roll substrates.

The company’s grand-format division is capable of printing on a variety of substrates, including vinyl, canvas, fabrics, board, rigid plastics and sheet metal. AMP Printing manufactures impressive pieces destined for wall graphics, vehicle wraps, trade show graphics and various signage. It also furnishes customers with portable pop-up booths with walls and sales tables.

The opportunity to move into grand-format digital printing was sparked by the suggestion of a salesperson who told Main that AMP Printing could sell deeper within existing client organizations in need of that type of output. The fact grand-format digital printing technology was moving from solvent-based printing to UV also made the decision easier for Main.

“I wasn’t a big believer in solvent; I didn’t like the environmental aspect of it,” he says. “We were already running UV inks on our Heidelberg sheetfed presses, and it was more environmentally friendlier than solvent. We looked at the opportunity and agreed it was a good time to get into grand-format capabilities. And the new VUTEk printer is amazing, a very fast machine. We have to work hard to keep up with it.”

The same is true for AMP’s new Heidelberg press. Obtaining the 10-color, 41˝ Speedmaster XL 106—which boasts 5/5 perfecting, aqueous and UV double coaters, and Prinect press control—in early 2013 was a considerable coup for AMP Printing, which previously relied on a six-color, 40˝ Speedmaster CD press and a six-color, 28˝ Speedmaster perfector. Main sees both the new EFI and Heidelberg machines as creating distinct points of differentiation for his 90-employee firm. AMP is also GRAcoL 7 certified to ensure color consistency across its digital and lithographic output platform.